Recycle Those extra 8x10s!
Those of us who work in entertainment come with 8x10s. And those of us who continue to work in entertainment know that the printing and mailing of 8x10s as an industry must-do to agents and casting directors has given way to the digital age. If you're like me, perhaps you've got a stack of old black and whites, or color shots from last year's haircut taking up shelf space? Well, as long as you've not changed your face too much, why not use those puppies to help your cause?
Not in the industry? Adapt this crafty thing with any printed image you'd like. Make sure you use photo paper. You'll want something with a little bit of weight.
I had some extra batter after making one of my organic Devil's Night Muffin "Pies," a great recipe I've adapted from The Well Traveled Fork. I pulled out some cute heart tins and baked individual muffin "pies." But I wanted a fun way to transport and box them. An industry connection had a birthday coming up, so the idea of using some of my old 8x10s as filler and boxing material seemed the perfect complimentary solution. This is what happened.
Devil's Night Muffin "Pie" Recipe Yields Extra for Hearts
Grab a few 8x10s and your favorite edging scissors.
Use edging scissors, cut around about an inch around the shape of your tin. Center your face before you cut. This becomes your "face base" for the treat. Save the trimmed bits. Randomly cut into them to create confetti filler.
How sweet your face appears next to a sweet treat!
Your face can be seen after the treat is taken out. Put your phone number and a note on the back!
Take a square piece of parchment paper and fold in half to form a triangle. Place cut out of you inside. Your face acts as a sturdy base for the treat. How's that for a one-liner? And when the treat is unwrapped and lifted to your friend's lips, he or she will see your smiling face underneath! Be sure to add your contact info and a note! You can also add some of the confetti filler inside the folded triangle with your face base for more confusing fun!
Devil's Night Muffin "Pie" Heart
Place the muffin "pie" on top of the folded paper.
It's Me Heather Lea Sage Sprinkle Topping
Add It's Me Heather Lea Sage Sprinkle Topping or your topping and a birthday candle.
It's Me Heather Lea Sage Sprinkle Topping
- brown sugar
- fresh cooking sage leaves
- cinnamon
- poppy seeds
Grind everything using a mortar and pestle or lava stone.
Use staples or punch holes and tie through with pretty ribbon. Your call.
Fold the side edges of the parchment triangle and staple. Yes, that's a SWINGLINE! The old ones last forever and give great staple!
It's rock & roll.
Pinch the parchment near the top and secure with another staple. Again, you can punch holes and tie with a pretty ribbon. You are the designer!
Use the 8x10 to form the box.
Use a full 8x10 or the remains of one you've cut out, folding the edges on three sides to set up the shape of the box, making sure the parchment paper and treat will stick out from the top once it's folded down. You may need to adjust the size of the hole.
Cut and shape around your treat.
Pull the top down, clearing the treat. Staple any lose edges together. I cut through to the center of my photo from the bottom, but you may choose to cut out your shape from the center, leaving the edges of the 8x10 intact. Don't be afraid of the effort. Just power through!
Finish your box shape.
Fold the bottom of the 8x10 box over the folded down top and secure with staples.
Plump up the box.
Use your fingers to expand the box and give it some presentational shape.
Add a flower or another flourish of color.
Add something colorful to the gift like some dried lavender. I simply rolled a few sprigs inside a smaller square of parchment paper and tied the bundle with a wild purple shoe lace. My industry gift is decidedly rock and roll!
If you're not into crafting a box, just use parchment paper and fill it with your 8x10 confetti.
Here's how!
Simple Parchment Paper Wrapping & 8x10 Confetti Filler
Fold treat inside parchment paper.
Place your treat and "face base" inside a piece of parchment paper and fold edges to form a triangle. Cross the sides on the left and right, pulling one side across and then the other. Secure with a few staples, or punch holes and tie with pretty ribbon.
Expand the flaps like flower petals.
Note the extra flaps just outside the treat?
Add confetti filler.
Fill the flaps and crevices with your 8x10 confetti!
Fold front flap down.
Tuck flap.
Fold the inner layer of the top of the triangle down, tucking it into the crossed flaps.
Add a flower or flourish inside the back flap.
The open flap is perfect for adding a flower if you'd like. The open flap begs exploration.
Add something else to the package if you'd like, such as some dried lavender rolled in parchment, tied with a bright ribbon or other flourish. Wedge this behind the treat in the fold along with the confetti. No flower? Simply finish the package by tucking all flaps down and securing with a staple, or a pull pretty ribbon through punch holes. Wrap a nice finishing ribbon around the outside of the entire package. Your friend will have fun with confetti spilling out and then finding your face behind the treat inside!
Enjoy!
~It's Me Heather Lea